PROS

CONS

Verdict

Crowning its performance coupe range is the Volkswagen Scirocco R – a high speed three-door based on the successful Golf R underpinnings

High speed coupe

Using the Scirocco’s existing bodywork but with more substantial bumpers, the R looked purposeful without being in-your-face.

The Golf R and similar SEAT Leon Cupra R already had good reputations as fine-handling front-wheel drive cars, but the sleeker appearance of the Scirocco’s tall but tapering coupe rear made it look and feel more special.

As with the rest of the Volkswagen coupe line-up, the Scirocco R was facelifted in summer 2014, looking even more aggressive and purposeful than before.

Similar to the latest Golf R, the bespoke front bumper features fins on its outer edges and LED lights, giving it a contemporary look too.

LEDs feature within the reprofiled rear light lenses too, while there’s a new back bumper and a modified tailgate on which the VW roundel doubles as a boot opening lever.

The outgoing ‘Talladega’ alloy wheels are replaced by the new ‘Cadiz’ design, still at an 18-inch diameter, and completing the visual enhancements.

Inside, the existing dashboard design was improved with new instruments and a set of additional dials consisting of a chronometer, a turbocharger pressure gauge and a display for oil temperature, imitating the original 1974 Scirocco.

Uprated engine

Under the facelifted Scirocco R’s bonnet you’ll find a fettled version of the original 2.0-litre turbocharged unit, with peak power increased to 276bhp.
Read on for the full Volkswagen Scirocco R review.